Top diplomats from BRICS countries, including rivals Iran and the UAE, failed to issue a joint statement after a two-day meeting in Delhi.
Instead, host country India released only a chair’s statement, exposing differences within the group.
Iran wanted BRICS nations to condemn the US-Israeli war against Tehran and accused the UAE, a US ally, of helping military operations against it.
Since the war began on February 28, Iran has launched several missile and drone attacks on the UAE.
India’s statement said, “There were differing views among some members as regards the situation in the West Asia/Middle East region.” Also Read: What Iran Wants, What UAE Wants — BRICS' Diplomatic Dilemma Explained Without naming the UAE directly, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said one BRICS member blocked parts of the proposed statement.
“We have no difficulty with that certain country, they have not been our target in the current war.
We only hit American military bases and American military installations which are unfortunately on their soil,” Araqchi said.
He added, “I hope by the time that we come for the summit, they come to a good understanding that Iran is a neighbour, we have to live with each other, we have lived for centuries and we have to live for centuries to come.” The UAE later rejected Iran’s allegations.
In a foreign ministry statement, it said it “categorically rejected” Tehran’s accusations and attempts to justify attacks on the Gulf nation.
UAE Deputy Foreign Minister Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar said the country had faced repeated Iranian “terrorist attacks” since February 28 targeting civilian and critical infrastructure.
He accused Iran of disrupting....
